Man believed to be hiking in American River Canyon near Auburn doesn't return home; search ongoing

Search Concludes After Missing Hiker Found Dead

A multi-day search for a 24-year-old hiker who vanished in the rugged American River Canyon near Auburn ended in tragedy on Tuesday, August 25, when his body was discovered by the search team. Ian Roberts, from Roseville, had been missing since Friday, according to the Placer County Sheriff's Office.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share Ian Roberts was located deceased today, August 25," Elise Soviar, a spokeswoman for the Placer County Sheriff's Office, said in a statement. Soviar added that it appears Roberts slipped and fell down a steep embankment, with no indication of foul play.

Timeline of Disappearance

Roberts was last seen at 9:45 a.m. Friday, according to the Placer County Sheriff's Office. Investigators believe Roberts parked at Overlook Park in Auburn, which serves as a trailhead for several canyon trails, and hiked down into the American River Canyon. His vehicle was found at the skate park at Overlook Park. The park sits on the edge of Auburn, less than a mile from Interstate 80, and provides direct access to trails descending into the canyon, according to SFGATE.

Roberts failed to return home Friday night. The Roseville Police Department received a missing person report on Saturday morning, as CBS News and SFGATE both reported. His parents reported him missing on Saturday, a detail carried by the New York Post.

Intensive Multi-Agency Search

Search efforts began Saturday and continued Sunday, with officials closing Overlook Park during the operation. Deputies said about 100 search and rescue personnel from multiple agencies searched the area, according to CBS News and SFGATE. The effort included dog teams, drones, and a sheriff's helicopter, which transported crews into and out of the terrain, according to SFGATE. Members of the sheriff's office marine unit searched along the American River's banks, while authorities requested additional aerial assistance from the state, SFGATE reported.

Sunday's operation ended around 5 p.m. so ground crews could safely leave the canyon before dark, SFGATE reported. At that time, Roberts remained missing, and authorities planned to resume searching Monday morning.

On Tuesday, the search team located Roberts' body on the third day of searching, as the New York Post reported. The location where Roberts was found lies in the Auburn State Recreation Area, within Auburn City limits, according to the Post. The Auburn Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

The search effort drew land and water teams from Napa, Santa Clara, Marin, and Sacramento counties, the Post reported. The New York Post described the American River Canyon area as bordered by rugged gorges carved by three forks of the American River in the western Sierra Nevada foothills.

Description and Request for Public Assistance

Roberts was last seen wearing a brown t-shirt, dark shorts, gray shoes, and possibly a beanie, as reported by both CBS News and SFGATE. SFGATE described him as 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 210 pounds.

Before the search concluded, the Placer County Sheriff's Office asked anyone with information about his location to call 530-886-5375, as detailed in the SFGATE report.

Soviar expressed condolences on behalf of the Sheriff's Office: "We extend our deepest condolences to Ian's family and are grateful for their kindness and support throughout the search efforts."